The North Carolina Council of Churches was founded in 1935. We are a statewide ecumenical organization promoting Christian unity and working towards a more just society. Our membership is composed of 26 distinct judicatories from 18 denominations.
We have a proven record of moving ahead of the curve on the social issues of its day even when our position was not popular among the churches or the culture. While the issues we address mirror the attitude of most progressive organizations around us, we have a singular starting place. We refract everything through the lens of faith. This starting place offers a different tenor to the conversation and leads to conclusions grounded in God’s intention for the flourishing of all creation.
The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ.
While the Council is itself overtly Christian, many of the committees and task groups are interfaith, including members from non-Christian faith communities. Several committees also include members of Christian denominations which are not part of the Council of Churches. Through this work, we live our motto: Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice.
Our members include 26 judicatories of 18 denominations and eight individual congregations. Across the state, our members have over 6,200 congregations with about 1.5 million congregants.
The North Carolina Council of Churches is not the local chapter of either the National or World Council of Churches. While we share the two goals of ecumenism and justice and our memberships are drawn from many of the same religious traditions, there are no structural connections between us. The North Carolina Council of Churches is actually thirteen years older than the World Council of Churches and fifteen years older than the National Council.




Rachel was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She is an Appalachian State University alumni with a passion for systemic transformation and equity for all North Carolina residents. Rachel joined the Council is 2018 as Immigration Program Coordinator and her role has since transformed to Communications Director. She enjoys contributing her knowledge and expertise to help promote positive social change through communications and graphic design. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time outside with her wife and two labs, playing rugby, and dancing.


Brandy Murray is a native of Rocky Mount, NC. She received her undergraduate degree from the illustrious Winston – Salem State University in Political Science. She has a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Her ministry research focuses on Hip Hop Theology and intergenerational worship. She brings innovative communications and social media management skills to the PHW team. During her spare time she likes to create memories with her Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, family and life long friends.





Sharon was raised in NYC in the South Bronx. She has 20 years of office management experience, mostly in the legal field. She is excited to be working for the NC Council of Churches as their Office Manager. She has lived in all over including New York, West Virginia, North Carolina and Texas. Sharon and her husband, Timothy, moved to NC in 1990 after getting married. She has two adult son's, Travaris and Bernard and a small Pomeranian. In her free time she likes to cook, entertain, and read.


Alliance of Baptists
NC Alliance of Baptists
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Second Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
Piedmont Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Carolina Conference
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in NC
Episcopal Church
Diocese of East Carolina
Diocese of North Carolina
Diocese of Western North Carolina
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
North Carolina Synod
General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
Metropolitan Community Churches
North and South Carolina Network
Mennonite Church USA
Eastern Carolina District of the Virginia Mennonite Conference
Moravian Church in America
Southern Province
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbytery of Charlotte
Presbytery of Coastal Carolina
Presbytery of New Hope
Presbytery of Salem
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Reformed Church in America
Regional Synod of New York
Reformed Churches of God in Christ International
Religious Society of Friends
North Carolina Yearly Meeting
United Church of Christ
Southern Conference
Unity Fellowship Church Movement
United Methodist Church
North Carolina Conference
Western North Carolina Conference
Individual Congregations
- All Saints’ Episcopal Church – Concord
- Chapel Hill Friends Meeting
- Christ the Liberator – Wilkesboro
- Church Women United in North Carolina
- Church Women United in Raleigh/Wake County
- Circle of Mercy – Asheville
- Citadel of Faith Christian Fellowship
- Congregational United Church of Christ – Greensboro
- Covenant Community Church – Raleigh
- Deep River Friends Meeting – High Point
- Dunn-Lillington District of the Eastern NC Episcopal District, AMEZ Church — Spring Lake
- Elon Community Church United Church of Christ
- The Embodiment of God Church
- First Baptist Church – Fayetteville
- First Christian Church –Greensboro
- First Congregational United Church of Christ – Asheville
- Glenn School Road Baptist Church – Durham
- Guilford Park Presbyterian Church – Greensboro
- Hillsborough Presbyterian Church
- Hillsborough United Church of Christ
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — Chapel Hill
- Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church – Raleigh
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church – Durham
- InSight Fund of Triangle Community Foundation – Raleigh
- Lumen Communities – Carrboro
- Milford Hills United Methodist Church – Salisbury
- New Garden Friends Meeting – Greensboro
- Parkway United Church of Christ – Winston-Salem
- Pilgrim United Church of Christ – Durham
- Raleigh Friends Meeting
- Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South, Inc. – Durham
- River Front Development Group
- Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church – Charlotte
- Shallotte Presbyterian Church
- St. John’s Episcopal Church – Wake Forest
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Greenville
- St. Therese Catholic Church – Wrightsville Beach
- Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting – Black Mountain
- Ten Thousand Villages – Raleigh
- Umstead Park United Church of Christ – Raleigh
- University Baptist Church
- United Church of Chapel Hill
- Virlina District, Church of the Brethren – Roanoke
- West Raleigh Presbyterian Church
- Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Women
- Westminster Presbyterian Church – Durham
- Wilmington Friends Meeting
The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements which inform, guide and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.
- Statement Condemning Violence Against our Jewish Neighbors (January 24, 2022)
- Statement on George Floyd Murder Trial Verdict (April 21, 2021)
- Remove Confederate Symbols Where Justice Is Sought (January 26, 2021)
- Statement on Systemic Racism (June 2, 2020)
- Statement on Staying Home (April 24, 2020)
- Reaffirmation of Support for the LGBTQ+ Community (June 10, 2019)
- Statement of Opposition to Constitutional Amendments (September 18, 2018)
- Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations (March 8, 2018)
- Policy Statement on the Public Schools (December 15, 2017)
- Confederate-themed monuments: Time to reassess (September 21, 2017)
- Statement Supporting Transparency and Accountability on American Involvement in Torture (September 13, 2017)
- Statement Opposing Fracked Gas Pipelines (September 12, 2017)
- Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling (March 1, 2016)
- Guaranteeing Suffrage, the Right to Vote (December 13, 2013)
- NCCC Board Statement on Syria (September 10, 2013)
- Affirming Principles of Concern for the Poor and Vulnerable (June 8, 2012)
- On the Importance of the State’s Public Health System (June 7, 2012)
- Statement on Accusations about Candidates’ Faith (March 15, 2012)
- Rural Life Committee Supports Ban on Fracking (August 18, 2011)
- Statement on Annual Utility Rate Hikes without NC Utility Commission Review (March 1, 2011)
- Statement on Physical Activity and Nutrition (December 6, 2010)
- Statement on the New York Muslim Community Center Controversy (September 21, 2010)
- Ownership of Agricultural Seeds (March 20, 2010)
- A Policy Statement on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining (December 1, 2009)
- Statement on Local Immigration Enforcement (December 2, 2008)
- Statement on the Trafficking of Human Persons (December 2, 2008)
- Global Climate Change As a Religious Issue (December 4, 2007)
- Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (December 5, 2006)
- Good Government (December 5, 2006)
- Health and Secondhand Smoke (September 5, 2006)
- A Statement on the Public Schools (September 5, 2006)
- The Iraq War and the Use of Torture by Our Country (December 6, 2005)
- Policy Statement on Domestic Violence (March 1, 2005)
- Resolution in Support of Organized Labor in North Carolina (March 2, 2004)
- Policy Statement on a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Marriage (March 2, 2004)
- Medical Malpractice Insurance Issues (December 2, 2003)
- Increasing the Cigarette Tax (December 2, 2003)
- Civil Liberties and the USA PATRIOT Act (December 2, 2002)
- Underage Drinking (November 12, 2002)
- Our Increasing Latino Population (November 12, 2002)
- Remembering the Common Good in Times of Financial Crisis (November 12, 2002)
- September 11 – Six Months Later (March 5, 2002)
- Hog Lagoons (November 9, 2000)
- A Living Wage (November 9, 2000)
- Tax Justice (November 9, 2000)
- Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services (November 9, 2000)
- Clergy, Laity and Child Abuse (December 2, 1998)
- Resolution to Support Legislation to Close the School of the Americas (December 2, 1998)
- Electric Utility Restructuring (October 28, 1998)
- Older Adults in Long-Term Care (October 28, 1998)
- Children and Gun Violence (October 28, 1998)
- With All Due Respect (October 28, 1998)
- Religious Liberty (October 28, 1998)
- On Special Provisions in the State Budget (October 28, 1998)
- The Role of Religion in Public Education (May 7, 1998)
- Youth Access to Tobacco Products (January 11, 1997)
- A Policy Statement on Health Care (January 11, 1997)
- Welfare Reform (January 11, 1997)
- The Church and Public Policy for Children (October 29, 1996)
- A Statement on Christians, Churches and Politics (April 18, 1996)
- Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians (April 30, 1992)
- Support for Farmers by Buying Locally and Encouraging Sustainable Farming (October 16, 1990)
- The Church and the Rural Crisis in North Carolina (May 5, 1988)
- Resolution on the Death Penalty (April 23, 1987)
Officers

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, President

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, President-Elect
The Rev. Dr. Claire Robinson, Church Women United Representative

The Rev. Deborah Suess, Secretary

The Rev. Claire Clyburn, Treasurer

The Rev. Mindy Douglas, Immediate Past President
At-Large Members

The Rev. Ernesto Barriguete
Pat Boswell

The Rev. Hanna Broome
The Rev. Christy Clore

The Rev. Maryann Crea

The Rev. Richard Elliott
The Rev. Alan Felton
The Rev. Erika Funk
The Rev. Jill Isola

The Rev. Allison Mahaley
The Rev. Erin Maxfield-Steele
The Rev. James Maynard

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister
The Rev. Kendal McBroom

Bishop Valerie J. Melvin
The Rev. Daran Mitchell
The Rev. William Pegues

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp

The Rev. Lia Scholl
The Rev. Albert Shuler

The Rev. Amelia Stinson-Wesley

The Rev. Deborah Suess

The Rev. John Taylor
The Rev. Sarah Woodard, Deacon
General Committee Chairs
The Rev. Albert Shuler , Business & Finance Committee Chair

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp, Christian Unity Committee Chair

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, Executive Committee Chair

The Rev. Lia Scholl, Peace Committee Chair

The Rev. Hanna Broome , Personnel Committee Chair

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, Planning Committee Chair

The Rev. Renee Hayes, Public Education Committee Chair

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister, Racial Equity Committee Chair
